Heart of the Hive: Inside the Mind of the Honey Bee and the Incredible Life Force of the Colony

Hilary Kearney
Story Publishing, £25.00

Another book about honey bees, but one of the better ones.  Detailed, yet very readable, Hilary Kearney, a beekeeper from San Diego, employs creative descriptions, for example, calling the bee’s brain the ‘size of a sesame seed’ and ‘shaped like a video game controller’. However, the reader does have to be able to interpret some American cultural references such as Twinkies, Slurpees and puffed taffy. 

There is a lot of information packed in, much like the pollen in a bee’s pollen ‘pants’ (the term used here for pollen baskets). Scientifically, the text is spot-on and refers to recent studies. The author’s enthusiasm comes through and her personal anecdotes enhance the more factual parts.

Who knew that borage flowers take just two minutes to replace nectar removed by bees, when other flowers can take up to 24 hours? No wonder it’s often seen covered in bees. It is also amazing to learn that nurse bees, who look after the larva, can select honey with greater antibiotic activity if there is a heavy Nosema infection. Examples of what is still not thoroughly understood are given, including the roles of the ocelli, the three simple eyes above the two compound ones, and the spike on the middle legs.

The many splendid photos by Eric Tourneret are mostly full or double page and are worth stopping to study carefully. That of a worker bee’s proboscis, described in the text as resembling crimson seaweed, lapping up spilled honey, is particularly striking. Current environmental issues such as habitat destruction and pesticide use are also discussed, with particular reference to the disastrous impact of neonicotinoids.

Anyone interested in honey bees and other insects will probably like this publication, even if they already had other bee books.

Dr Sue Howarth, FRSB

Reviewed by Dr Sue Howarth FRSB